Horse-drawn carriages in high demand in St. Augustine

C.B. Hinson poses with one of his carriages at the bayfront on Wednesday May 14, 2014. C.B. Hinson, Inc. Southern Carriages & Distribution is having trouble gaining the correct permits for more carriage licenses and Hinson says they're having trouble getting enough rides.

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St. Augustine streets could have more carriages soon if city officials issue more permits.

The City Commission made a decision to limit the number of carriage permits in the city to 30. When one carriage company ceased its operations, 15 permits came open.

That left a couple of local businesses with more requests for rides and not enough permits to accommodate them.

Hinson, 88, has been in business since the 1960s. He wants more permits to help meet the need.

Right now he has two licenses, so he could run two horses-drawn carriages at a time. He wants eight additional permits.

His business serves individuals as well as bed-and-breakfasts and restaurants in the area, and he has been having trouble meeting the demand.

On Mother’s Day, his business had to turn away dozens of people, he said.

Hinson said more permits would benefit his business.

“I could take care of my customers,” he said.

Commissioners discussed Hinson’s request at Monday’s meeting and talked about possibility of more traffic congestion that could come with more carriages. Commissioners also talked about regulating other types of transportation, such as Segway tours and pedicabs.

Hinson said he plans to submit an application for more permits in time for June 9 commission meeting.

Changes to the horse carriage industry have come in the past few years, including changes to the number of permits available. Brian Funk, manager at the Bayfront Marin House, a local bed and breakfast, said guests have had trouble getting rides.

He said when one carriage company went out of business in 2013, the bed-and-breakfast lost access.

The inn does up to about $3,000 worth of carriage business a month, he said.

When guests have trouble getting carriage rides, their experience is not as good, Funk said. That is a danger to business.

“We could really use some assistance,” he said. “We are constantly having to juggle ... to get our rides.”

The city’s application for more permits takes into consideration several factors, including the need for permits and whether an owner has the required equipment, said city attorney Ron Brown.

Commissioners discussed the issue Monday and reached no conclusion.

Commissioner Leanna Freeman asked about the possibility of more traffic congestion if more horse-and-carriage permits are released, and Commissioner Roxanne Horvath asked if “we want to add more carriages to the problem” with all of the other types of transportation downtown, such as pedicabs and Segway tours.

“We’re talking about congestion a lot these days,” Freeman said.

Mayor Joe Boles mentioned that Segway tours and other forms of transportation are unregulated, so city officials are looking into regulating pedicabs, Segway tours and carts with less than eight seats.

That issue could come up at the June 9 meeting. Brown said officials plan to draft sample ordinances for regulating those forms of transportation.

“My personal feeling is if I want the streets clogged with anything, I want it clogged with trains and trolleys, carriages, more bicycles, less cars.” Boles said. “And slow the traffic down.”